Rabbi Shimon ben Yoḥai

Second century tanna and author of the Zohar. He studied with Rabbi Akiva for many years and was one of his principal students. He was a charismatic, gloomy, mysterious figure, known for his open opposition to Roman rule. Because of his anti-Roman sentiments he was force into hiding and lived out his days in a cave until his death on the 18th of Iyyar (Lag Ba’Omer) – even today people are known to visit his grave in Meron on that day to commemorate him.